Written Answers Nos. 740-761
740. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a list of the names of each special adviser employed by her Department since 2020; the Minister and Minister of State whom each adviser is associated with, and their respective salaries, in tabular form; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34941/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the formation of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in September 2020 there has been four Special Advisers employed by the Department.
The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
All special advisers appointed to me are paid at the relevant Principal Officer (Standard) PPC scale.
The special adviser appointed to Minister of State Thomas Byrne is paid at the relevant Assistant Principal Officer (Standard) PPC scale.
All advisers were appointed on the first point of the relevant salary scale in accordance with the standard arrangements put in place by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform and entitled to annual increments for the duration of employment.
In relation to the duties and role of each appointee, a contract and statement of qualifications for each adviser has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in compliance with the provision of Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001.
|
Name of Adviser |
Minister |
Salary |
|
Tanya Warren |
Minister Catherine Martin |
Principal Officer (Standard) PPC |
|
Juno McEnroe |
Minister Catherine Martin |
Principal Officer (Standard) PPC |
|
Meghan McSweeney |
Minister Catherine Martin |
Principal Officer (Standard) PPC |
|
Daniel Griffin |
Minister of State Thomas Byrne |
Assistant Principal (Standard) PPC |
741. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the expenses paid to ministerial advisers in her Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34959/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the formation of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in September 2020 there has been four Special Advisors employed by the Department.
The total expenses paid to Ministerial advisers in this Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 is set out in tabular form as follows:
|
Year |
Total Expenses |
|
2020 |
Nil |
|
2021 |
€559.30 |
|
2022 |
€2,640.02 |
|
2023 |
€4,150.54 |
|
2024 (to date) |
€4,740.82 |
|
Total |
€12,090.68 |
742. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No 959 of 23 July 2024, the date on which the confidentiality agreement around the sale of Arramara Teoranta by Údarás na Gaeltachta to a company [details supplied] in 2014, will cease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35044/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn tÚdarás has advised that the confidentiality clause in the Share Purchase Agreement to the company referred to covers all matters in the agreement, and therefore the date on which it ceases cannot be disclosed. I have previously stated that neither I nor the relevant officers in my Department hold a copy of this sales agreement.
743. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No 959 of 23 July 2024, the length of time covered by the confidentiality agreement around the sale of Arramara Teoranta by Údarás na Gaeltachta to a company [details supplied] in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35045/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn tÚdarás has informed me that the confidentiality clause in the Share Purchase Agreement referred to is itself confidential and therefore the length of time covered by it cannot be disclosed. As I have previously stated neither I nor officers in my Department hold a copy of this agreement.
744. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 954 den 23ú Iúil 2024, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ar an obair athbhreithnithe ar na chéad deich bplean teanga a ceadaíodh faoi Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012; cathain a chríochnófar an tuarascáil; cathain a fhoilseofar an tuarascáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [35046/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAr an 28ú Meitheamh 2023, d'fhógair mé go raibh conradh bronnta ar an gcomhlacht, Barr Feabhais Teo., chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an gcéad 10 bplean teanga a ceadaíodh faoi réir Acht na Gaeltachta 2012.
Cinnteoidh an tionscnamh seo, a bhfuil buiséad suas le €92,500 á chur ar fáil ina leith, go ndéanfar athbhreithniú neamhspleách ar fheidhmiú na bpleananna teanga seo. Cuirfear aiseolas maidir le feidhmiú na bpleananna ar fáil agus, bunaithe ar an méid a aithnítear san athbhreithniú, beifear in ann céimeanna a ghlacadh d'fhonn cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis phleanála teanga a fheabhsú.
Is iad seo a leanas an 10 Limistéir Pleanála Teanga atá i gceist:
• Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, An Fál Carrach & Machaire Rabhartaigh;
• Ná Déise;
• Ciarraí Theas;
• Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire & Loch an Iúir;
• Ciarraí Thiar;
• Conamara Láir;
• An Cheathrú Rua;
• Maigh Eo Thuaidh;
• Ráth Chairn & Baile Ghib; agus,
• Árainn Mhór.
Tá an obair ar an tuarascáil fós ag dul ar aghaidh agus táim ag súil go mbeidh sé réidh le foilsiú go gairid. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil bailchríoch á chuir ar i láthair na huaire.
745. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán stádas na tuarascála ón Choiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge, bunaithe faoin Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021; an dáta a fuair an Roinn an tuarascáil sin; stádas breithniúchán na Roinne ar an tuarascáil sin; cén dáta a fhoilseofar an tuarascáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [35047/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGlactar leis gur ag trácht ar thuarascáil bhliantúil ar dhul chun cinn an Choiste Chomhairligh um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge faoi alt 18F d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003-2021 atá an Teachta.
Cuireadh an tuarascáil úd, a chlúdaíonn an tréimhse ó bunaíodh an Coiste ar an 20 Meitheamh 2022 go dtí an 31 Nollaig 2023, faoi mo bhráid agus faoi bhráid an Choimisinéara Teanga ar an 28 Meitheamh 2024, ag teacht leis an spriocdháta reáchtúil a leagann amach nach mór é sin a dhéanamh faoin 30 Meitheamh 2024.
Faoin Acht ansin, déanfaidh an Coimisinéir, laistigh de 6 mhí ón dáta sin, tráchtaireacht ar an tuarascáil a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire. Déanfaidh an tAire, laistigh de 3 mhí ón tráchtaireacht sin a fháil, an tráchtaireacht agus an tuarascáil a chur faoi bhráid an Rialtais agus, a luaithe is féidir ina dhiaidh sin, a fhoilsiú ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán.
Má tá an Teachta ag tagairt don Phlean Náisiúnta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge a bhí le hullmhú agus le cur faoi bhráid an Aire de réir alt 18C d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003-2021; chuir an Coiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge an Plean sin faoi mo bhráid ar an 19 Meitheamh 2024.
Tá an Plean Náisiúnta le cur faoi bhráid an Rialtais laistigh de 3 mhí ón dáta sin tar éis dom é a bhreithniú agus le foilsiú a luaithe is féidir ina dhiaidh sin, i ndáil le forálacha an Achta.
Tá sé mar aidhm go bhfeidhmeoidh an Plean Náisiúnta seo mar mhapa bóthair do chomhlachtaí poiblí agus é foilsithe ó thaobh líon agus caighdeán a gcuid seirbhísí poiblí Gaeilge a mhéadú agus a fheabhsú ar bhonn córasach, mar aon le cur lena líon foirne inniúil i nGaeilge i ndáil le sprioc earcaíochta 20% an Achta.
Tríd an obair seo táthar ag súil go gcuirfear le heispéireas Gaeilge an chustaiméara, ag cur ar chumas lucht labhartha na Gaeilge í a úsáid i ngach gné dá saol – ach go háirithe ina bplé leis an Stát.
746. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for the development of a 50m swimming pool in Loughrea, east Galway; if a suitable site has been identified where such a complex could be built; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35055/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Capital support for new swimming pools is currently being provided through the LSSIF. New swimming pool projects and the refurbishment of existing swimming pools were eligible to apply for grant funding under LSSIF 2024 subject to published guidelines and conditions of the scheme.
Minister Martin and I announced funding of up to €120 million under the new round of the LSSIF (LSSIF 2024) which closed for applications on the 1 July 2024.
Assessment of applications, for funding of between €600,000 and €30 million, will take into account such factors as population size, sustainability and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities. The initial assessment of applications is now underway and it is clear that this round of the LSSIF has generated significantly more applications and a much higher volume of demand than the first round.
I understand that no application was received under LSSIF 2024 for a swimming pool in Loughrea.
747. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost in 2025 if the budget for Culture Ireland increased by 20%. [35173/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCulture Ireland is a unit of my Department with responsibility for the promotion of Irish Arts internationally. In doing so, they work with International presenting partners and annually funded bodies to bring high quality Irish arts, across all artforms, to global audiences.
In 2024 Culture Ireland's budget is €7.6 million. An increase of 20% on that budget would cost €1.52 million bringing the total allocation to €9.12 million.
Any changes to the allocation for Culture Ireland in 2025 will be determined as part of the Budget 2025 process.
748. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the charges that Irish Museum of Modern Art charge for allowing the Royal Hospital Kilmainham to be used as a concert event; the amount that IMMA received from this usage in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and the last time the IMMA reviewed these charges. [35197/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised is an operational matter for the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). Accordingly, I have referred this question to this National Cultural Institution for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
749. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps taken by Tourism Ireland to promote tourism from the UK market during the winter period for the Dublin region; and the budget allocation for this project. [35198/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy and the tourism agencies (Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland) deal with the implementation of this policy. Tourism Ireland is the agency responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a tourism destination.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
750. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if, following the opening of several new running tracks in south Dublin over the past number of years, at Kilbogget Park, Cabinteely, Dundrum, and UCD, and the success of Irish athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, she has any plans to provide a new 400-metre running track in north Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35240/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The SCEP is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The LSSIF provides support for larger sports facility projects where the Exchequer investment would be greater than the maximum amount available under the SCEP.
Under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme a total of €3.9 million was allocated to athletics under the 2020 round. The current 2023 round of the programme has seen €1.6 million allocated in equipment-only funding to athletics applications and assessments are currently underway in relation to the capital funding element of the 2023 programme. Under the Large Scale Sport infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) a total of €24,019,701 has been allocated to athletics projects under the first round of the fund.
The Minister, Deputy Martin and I announced funding of up to €120 million under the new round of the LSSIF (LSSIF 2024) which closed for applications on 1 July 2024. Assessment of applications, for funding of between €600,000 and €30 million, will take into account such factors as population size, sustainability and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities.
The initial assessment of LSSIF applications is now underway and it is clear that this round of the LSSIF has generated significantly more applications and a much higher volume of demand than the first round. I can confirm that a number of athletics proposals have been submitted under LSSIF 2024, the details of which will be published in due course.
751. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application by a club (details supplied) for the sports capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35249/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting new and upgraded sports facilities and equipment across the country. The 2023 round of the programme attracted a record number of applications and in May I was delighted to announce the first round of grants of €26 million for equipment-only projects.
The assessment of funding applications for capital projects, including the application referred to by the Deputy, is now at an advanced stage and I expect to announce allocations in the coming weeks.
752. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a progress report on each of the 22 locations which were allocated €19million in funding from the Department and Failte Ireland in April 2021 to build world-class facility centres where water-based activities are a key visitor attraction, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35353/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.
The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
753. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to confirm the names of the applicants from Louth who received grant aid under the 2023 night time economy noise mitigation scheme; the value of the grant(s), in tabular from; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35379/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the Noise Mitigation Grant Scheme in July 2023 to support late night venue owners to take pro-active steps to implement noise mitigation measures to better control and reduce sound emissions from their premises, especially in those areas where it has the potential to impact on residents.
The scheme operated with a fund of €2 million. In accordance with the terms of the fund, the Department's assessment of applications was strictly by order of date and time of receipt, i.e. all applications were assessed for eligibility on a first come first served basis. There was one application from a venue in Co. Louth under this scheme, however in accordance with the terms and due to funds being fully allocated, the Department was not in a position to proceed with the Application.
754. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for a date for the allocation of the grants under the Sports Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35394/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting new and upgraded sports facilities and equipment across the country. The 2023 round of the programme attracted a record number of applications and in May I was delighted to announce the first round of grants of €26 million for equipment-only projects.
The assessment of funding applications for capital projects is now at an advanced stage and I expect to announce allocations in the coming weeks.
755. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total allocation under the sports capital programme to clubs in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 since 2020. [35452/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of all SCEP allocations can be found on the Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/
There have been 19 different Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) allocations for clubs in the Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 areas since 2020, totalling €660,560, as set out in the following table.
The capital applications under the 2023 round of the programme, including those from Dublin 9 and 11, are currently being assessed with final allocations expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
|
Organisation |
Project Title |
Address 1: County |
Dublin Postal Code |
Application Status |
Organisation Type (Organisation) |
Sport Type (Organisation) |
Grant Category |
National Governing Body (Organisation) |
Amount Allocated (Base) |
Grant Number |
Scheme |
Equipment Only |
|
Home Farm FC |
2020 - Upgrade of Astro Training Pitches |
Dublin |
D09AX52 |
Closed - Fully Drawn Down |
Sports Club |
Soccer |
Local |
Football Association of Ireland |
€130,915.00 |
CAS-50315-T7M5B4 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
No |
|
Glasnevin Lawn Tennis Club |
2020 - Resurface tennis courts and install practice wall |
Dublin |
D09DR76 |
Grant Provisionally Allocated |
Sports Club |
Tennis |
Local |
Tennis Ireland |
€77,859.00 |
CAS-52515-F8W3W7 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
No |
|
Drumcondra Football Club |
2020 - Pitch Drainage System Baskin Lane |
Dublin |
D09 N6V6 |
Formally approved - Fully Outstanding |
Sports Club |
Soccer |
Local |
Football Association of Ireland |
€26,500.00 |
CAS-51406-C5X4Q7 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
No |
|
Charleville Lawn Tennis Club |
2020 - Upgrade to LED Floodlighting and added Security |
Dublin |
D09HX7X |
Closed - Fully Drawn Down |
Sports Club |
Tennis |
Local |
Tennis Ireland |
€46,000.00 |
CAS-52097-P2N0S7 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
No |
|
St Michael's House |
2020 - Equipment - Get fit, stay active 2021 |
Dublin |
D09 DX37 |
Closed - Fully Drawn Down |
Disability Group |
Swimming |
Local |
None |
€39,687.00 |
CAS-52421-D6N9T1 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
Yes |
|
Aer Lingus Swimming Club |
2020 - Equipment ALSC Competitive Swimming Development Programme. |
Dublin |
D09HD91 |
Formally approved - Partially Outstanding |
Sports Club |
Swimming |
Local |
Swim Ireland |
€24,642.00 |
CAS-51965-Q8X5S5 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
Yes |
|
Dublin Cliffhangers Youth Climbing Club |
2020 - High Performance Initiative |
Dublin |
D11YP40 |
Closed - Fully Drawn Down |
Sports Club |
Rock Climbing |
Local |
Mountaineering Ireland |
€25,588.00 |
CAS-53382-Q4V4V0 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
Yes |
|
St Kevins boys club |
2020 - Machinery Upgrade |
Dublin |
D09NN88 |
Formally approved - Partially Outstanding |
Sports Club |
Soccer |
Local |
Football Association of Ireland |
€41,734.00 |
CAS-51075-M5T7M7 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
Yes |
|
St Vincent's Basketball Club |
2020 - Basketball equipment |
Dublin |
D11XV05 |
Closed - Fully Drawn Down |
Sports Club |
Basketball |
Local |
Basketball Ireland |
€43,542.00 |
CAS-51967-P1F5D6 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
Yes |
|
Sports Across Ireland Ltd |
2020 - Sports Equipment |
Dublin |
D09TN22 |
Closed - Fully Drawn Down |
Community Group |
Basketball |
Local |
Basketball Ireland |
€747.00 |
CAS-53584-Z4B7B5 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
Yes |
|
Whitehall Colmcille GAA Club |
2020 - Machinery & maintenance equipment for Cloghran |
Dublin |
D09W688 |
Closed - Fully Drawn Down |
Sports Club |
Gaelic Games |
Local |
GAA |
€30,000.00 |
CAS-52167-X9C3L8 |
2020 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme |
Yes |
|
Clonliffe Harriers Athletic Club |
2023 - Clonliffe Harriers AC - Upgrade Gym Equipment |
Dublin |
D09XV30 |
Formal Approval Sought |
Sports Club |
Athletics |
Local |
Athletics Ireland |
€11,702.00 |
CAS-55191-Z9R6G5 |
2023 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) |
Yes |
|
Fingal Motor Club CLG |
2023 - Safety Improvements |
Dublin |
D09E2K6 |
Grant Provisionally Allocated |
Sports Club |
Motorcycling |
Local |
Motor Cycling Ireland |
€14,250.00 |
CAS-56041-K4F1X0 |
2023 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) |
Yes |
|
Marino AFC |
2023 - New equipment |
Dublin |
D09 H1X0 |
Grant Provisionally Allocated |
Sports Club |
Soccer |
Local |
Football Association of Ireland |
€19,047.00 |
CAS-56327-C9K7R3 |
2023 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) |
Yes |
|
Dublin Cliffhangers Youth Climbing Club |
2023 - Dublin Cliffhangers Keep Performing |
Dublin |
D11YP40 |
Grant Provisionally Allocated |
Sports Club |
Rock Climbing |
Local |
Mountaineering Ireland |
€29,526.00 |
CAS-56977-R3X8H1 |
2023 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) |
Yes |
|
Tolka Rovers BASKETBALL CLUB |
2023 - Tolka Basketball – a club for all the community |
Dublin |
D11AY76 |
Formally approved - Partially Outstanding |
Sports Club |
Basketball |
Local |
Basketball Ireland |
€31,311.00 |
CAS-55838-R6L3D5 |
2023 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) |
Yes |
|
Mid Sutton Sportslink FC |
2023 Provision for Sports Equipment |
Dublin |
D09HD91 |
Formally approved - Fully Outstanding |
Sports Club |
Soccer |
Local |
Football Association of Ireland |
€14,952.00 |
CAS-54593-V2C8W0 |
2023 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) |
Yes |
|
Finglas Celtic Football Club |
2023 - Machine & Soccer Equipment |
Dublin |
D11VX43 |
Grant Provisionally Allocated |
Sports Club |
Soccer |
Local |
Football Association of Ireland |
€51,308.00 |
CAS-53667-K7H3J9 |
2023 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) |
Yes |
|
Sports Across Ireland Ltd |
2023-24 Sports Camps equipment |
Dublin |
D11E7WR |
Grant Provisionally Allocated |
Community Group |
Basketball |
Local |
Basketball Ireland |
€1,250.00 |
CAS-54887-H9L4Y0 |
2023 - Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) |
Yes |
|
€660,560.00 |
756. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on supports and funding provided by her Department to Sports For All programmes run by governing bodies. [35453/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport in Ireland, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various funding programmes.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the Sport for All programme. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
757. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total allocation by her Department to the new all-weather pitch and equipment in Kildonan Park, Finglas, under the sports capital programme. [35454/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that an application has been received under the 2023 Sports Capital and Equipment Programme from Dublin City Council for €500,000 in funding towards the proposed all-weather facility at Kildonan Park, Finglas.
All capital applications are currently being assessed and I expect to be in a position to announce final allocations in the coming weeks.
758. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the Royal Canal greenway project; and the support provided by her Department for this project. [35455/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, the Minister for Transport, has overall responsibility for the development of greenways and any request for a detailed update on the overall project should accordingly be directed to that Department. My own role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy. I understand that Fáilte Ireland has recently approved a grant application through the Just Transition funding process for the installation of interpretative panels along this greenway. Accordingly, I have referred this question to Fáilte Ireland a direct response to the Deputy on that particular aspect. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
759. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on any funding or projects undertaken by her Department in relation to the Tolka river. [35456/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.
The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
760. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the sports capital programme allocations are likely to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35503/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting new and upgraded sports facilities and equipment across the country. The 2023 round of the programme attracted a record number of applications and in May I was delighted to announce grants of €26 million for equipment-only projects.
Assessment of applications for capital projects are now at an advanced stage and I expect to announce allocations in the coming weeks.
761. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of WTE sales and marketing executives by gender that are employed by Fáilte Ireland in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [35664/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
